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                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, February 4, 1992                   TAG: 9202040386
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

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MANY DEMANDS ON PHARMACISTS

BEN BEAGLE (column, Jan. 23) and most of the general public are unaware and misguided about the educational requirements for pharmacists, their long and irregular work schedules, and the enormous responsibility for making sure the medication is paramount before dispensing for a particular illness.

When was the last time Beagle worked a 12-hour day or couldn't take the time for a bathroom break, much less a lunch break? There are other prescriptions to fill, doctors to call, and computer information on everything from Medicare to refills.

Oh, yeah, the next time he gets feverish and doesn't want the expense of an office visit to his doctor but wants some free advice from his pharmacist, keep in mind this is a free and valuable service he is receiving.

By the way, he doesn't need to buy that foot machine, unless he can extract it from his mouth. SCOTT FUHRMAN ROANOKE

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